Conflicted Desires – Part 7

We have embarked on the story of Rohini and Vikram, and a super talkative grumpy parakeet – Keezo. To read the previous part of the story, click here.

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The conversation around dinner was casual, lighthearted, and funny. She never thought his company would be so easy, though he throws his signature flirtatious lines here and there, but overall Rohini felt at ease with Vikram.

He picked her up from her apartment complex, dot on time, he calls it – a work hazard! His sleek black sedan felt and smelled masculine just like him. Rohini was nervous, very nervous while entering his vehicle. This is way outside from her comfort zone, she had never done anything like this before. Her usual companions are house staffs or colleagues from the counselor center.

Vikram was patient, and courteous during the drive, they hardly spoke in the car except for a few words of necessary pleasantries. The place he chose for dinner was nothing ‘quaint’ as he mentioned to her earlier. It was a fine-dining Thai cuisine restaurant with ambient light and cozy interiors. The receptionist knew Vikram, or probably he had called them earlier, as they were immediately scouting them to their reserved place, a far corner with dim lights and calming music.

Rohini was clutching her bag as her nerves were at their peak, why and who goes to such places for dinners with aquantainces, it looks almost intimate. A place where you bring someone to impress, why would he bring me here? She was contemplating scooting by giving some excuse and blocking him forever, when he mentioned, ‘This place is my baby.’

As in, is he saying this is his restaurant?

“I am sorry, this is your what?” she asked in confusion.

“This is my business venture, I and my brother, Krisha’s dad, I began this almost a decade and a half ago. Then we got busy with our respective careers, and the chief chef, and a dear friend provided a solution and bought the equity from us. So, this is my place, in a way, and I love to come here when I am in good company or just want some alone time” Vikram explained to her.

Somehow, this put her on nerves ease, she was overthinking and concluding without understanding.

“Ah! And here I was thinking to raincheck on you,” she replied coyly.

“And she jokes too, Why Mrs. Kaushik, I am impressed with your wits,” he teased her.

He ordered the signature dishes from the menu, and vintage wine from the collection, Rohini was happy with her non-alcoholic beverages when he cracked up, “Do not worry madam, I will not take advantage of your inebriated stage. I know the revenge law-suits are very vicious” with a wink.

The conversation was easily flowing around schooling, college days, Rohini’s time with younger Raunak, his strings of girlfriends, career, life and so much more. It was easy talking with Vikram, she never thought this could feel happy. Her last such outing was with Kaushal when he was in town. It was a networking dinner with his partners and their wives. Though she enjoys her time with Kaushal, those dinners are forced as an obligation, and this feels easy and comforting.

Dessert was her favorite, hazelnut and coffee cake, the one she ordered for both of them. Vikram was surprised to taste the two contrasting ingredients that could taste so good together, they were glugging down the dessert when the chef came out to meet them.

“How was the food madam, hope you liked your first time at Yazuhni, though I can’t say the same for your company, this man is boring as a log” quipped the Chef.

“Come on man, I am not boring!” claimed Vikram laughingly. “Rohini, meet Gautam, he is thief who took my baby away,” Vikram said with mocking pain in his heart.

“Shoo, you are your theatrics, keep that for your clients in the court. Stupid man, I saved this beautiful place from you two morons. Anyway, going back to the gorgeous lady here, I am Gautam and it’s a pleasure to have you at Yazuhni,” he said with a warm smile.

“I like the place and the food is delicious, thank you for your warm hospitality,” Rohini was enjoying the camaraderie between the two friends.

Gautam flashed his full smile like a proud father, “You are always welcome, just call us before coming and we will make sure, you have a great time here.”

“Is this courtesy extended to me also, by any chance?” Vikram piqued in between.

“Absolutely, unless you are ready to pay a fat cheque in my name!” Gautam answered funnily. “Now you shut up, and my beautiful guest here, let me take my leave and get back to the kitchen before they burn down the whole place,” with that he got up and left them with a smile.

“He is nice,” said Rohini digging into her dessert.

“That he is, and much more of a devil in disguise if you ask me personally. But yes, he turned this place around with sheer passion and dedication, I love that man like my own brother,” replied Vikram thoughtfully.

They have a history together, Rohini could feel it in his eyes, but she did not want to prod him for more.

“Well, what can I say, this was one of my most astounding evenings in a long time, and thank you for your ‘blessed’ company,” Vikram said playfully.

She likes his sense of humor and the ease of words. He never made her feel out of place, in fact, she felt good meeting him outside the counselor’s session. They spoke about Krisha too, he is very close to his niece, and she wonders why he has not married to have his own family. But she never asked that intrusive question.

He asked her about her husband, his work nature, and more about Raunak, her son. They decided to meet at his office next week to discuss and establish documents regarding Keezo’s license.

The evening went well, better than any of them expected. While sending her off, he claimed, “Thank you for joining me tonight, I hope we can meet more often for such dinners, I would love to have you by my side.”

Though she knew it was a harmless statement, just an emotion, but she could not chew away the undertone of it. “By your side?” she exclaimed.

“Who would not like to have such a beautiful company next to him to flaunt, madam?”

“Well, thank you, but I am not yours to FLAUNT. Though I enjoyed your company very much tonight, but let us not go ahead of ourselves, shall we.” She wanted to keep it clear to save from any misunderstandings.

“Of course! Of Course.”

“See you next week, let us get your bird officially and legally adopted.” He waved to ease off the tension coming from her in waves.

To be continued…

This post is a part of Blogchatter Half Marathon 2024

Disclaimer – This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents in this story are either the product of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

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